Lewis County Fair president Dr. Harry P. OConnor dies

The veterinarian was treating a horse when he was stricken ill and died later at Lewis County General Hospital, fair Treasurer Douglas P. Hanno said.

Dr. OConnor had been president of the fair since 1985. Following the 193rd annual fair this summer, he said in an interview, You get county fair in your blood and you cant get it out.

At the time he said that being a part of the fair was more than being a director. It was being a volunteer and putting a hand in before it was needed. His hard work and dedication were something that rubbed off on the rest of the board of directors, staff and fairgoers each year.

Over the years he had overseen the renovation of the fairs grandstand and the installation of a life-size artificial milking cow. Most recently he was judge at the inaugural baking contest.

As a veterinarian, he was one of the founding members of Countryside Veterinary Clinic.

He obtained his doctor of veterinary medicine degree from Cornell University in 1968.

His survivors include his wife, Donna J. OConnor, three sons, a daughter and their families.

Funeral arrangements were incomplete Wednesday night.

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